Dad reports:
Tommy spent the day working on his project. He changed midstream from the Trojan Horse to Odysseus’ boat. It came out ok. I feel we could have done much better but Tommy actually seemed to enjoy putting it together. It was a good first ever school project for Tommy.
Dad reports:
Today Tommy is being asked to do his school project so he has become beligerent and snappy.
Dad reports this morning:
Tommy sleeps in this morning. Yesterday we had no yelling. Of course, we asked nothing of Tommy. His brother had a 3 game soccer tournament that ran from 10am to 3pm and we required Tommy to be there but did not argue his sleeping (pretend sleeping) in the chair. He did “sleep” through lunch so when I had him join me for dog school during the car ride he barked “I’m hungry!” and I ignored him. He spoke not another word. When we got to dog school I told Tommy, “You said something rude in the car. It was a statement of fact and rude. Did you mean to say something different?” and he politely asked, “Can I have some food?” I said sure but that I could not take him anywhere. I gave him all the singles in my wallet and some change and suggested he walk down to the Weigels (probably 1/4 mile). His eyes lit up. He was stunned. His reply, “Are you serious?”
When his sister arrived at dog school she was so jealous that Tommy was permitted this walking/shopping experience that she begged to go and was told “ok but Tommy has to protect you” further inflating his ego. Have I found the secret to exercising the kids?! ‘Let them walk to the store for junk food!’
Tommy held things together so well that Mom and I invited him to join us for dinner out and a movie. Normally having Tommy out in public is like walking on thin ice. There is this constant tension. This night was not like that at all. He was well mannered and pleasant company. I really enjoyed being with my wife and Tommy this evening.
It was a fun evening!
Dad reports:
Associated Press brings us this:
Dad apologize for teen accused in poison cake prank
“The father of one of the two 13-year-old girls accused of serving poisoned cake to about a dozen students said Thursday that he and his daughter were sorry it happened.”
…
“The father said his daughter was diagnosed this summer with Asperger’s syndrome and doctors told him the girl should not be in a conventional school setting. Asperger’s is an autism-related condition characterized by social and communication deficiencies.”
So, is the diagnosis real? Or is a convenient excuse that just gives us bad press?
Asperger's Disorder is a milder variant of Autistic Disorder.
... In Asperger's Disorder, individuals are characterized by social isolation and eccentric behavior in childhood.
...Clumsiness is prominent both in their articulation and gross motor behavior.
... leaves no space for age appropriate, common interests. ...
We will document our trials, tribulations, good times and efforts to give our son a normal life and perhaps help other Asperger parents in the process.